Govt plans to allow DNC officers to carry arms: Home Minister

The Bangladesh government is preparing to amend the country’s narcotics law within the next few days to allow officers from the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) to carry modern firearms, including 9mm pistols, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the fight against drug-related crime.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced the proposed reforms on Friday while addressing a discussion and award ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

He said, "The legal changes would be accompanied by specialised training to ensure DNC officers are equipped to respond more effectively to organised drug offences.”

“The government also plans to improve the department’s operational capabilities by providing detention facilities and deploying trained sniffer dogs to support anti-narcotics operations,” he added.

In another major initiative, Salahuddin also said, "Advanced drug-testing laboratories would be established in every district across Bangladesh.”

He added that a formal proposal for the nationwide network of laboratories has already been submitted.

The minister also highlighted the growing pressure on the country’s judicial system, revealing that around 80,000 drug-related cases remain pending in Dhaka alone. He attributed the backlog largely to a shortage of judges.

To address the issue, the government intends to establish courts with appropriate jurisdiction and prioritise cases according to their significance and volume, with the aim of speeding up the disposal of long-standing cases.

The home minister said, "Several existing laws no longer reflect present-day realities," pointing out that offences related to gambling are still governed by legislation dating back to 1867.

“The government is working to modernise the country’s legal framework, including strengthening cyber laws to address emerging challenges,” he continued.

The minister’s remarks came as concerns continue to grow over the scale of drug abuse in Bangladesh.

According to a recent study conducted under the supervision of the Department of Narcotics Control, an estimated 8.2 million people in the country are using illicit drugs, representing about 4.88% of the population.

The report also warned that the spread of new synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs, commonly known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), is making the country’s drug problem increasingly complex and posing fresh challenges for law enforcement and public health authorities.